In brief but to the point: What Budanov stated following the negotiations between the USA and Russia.

The head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, briefly but convincingly expressed his support for Ukrainians. Likely, he chose to do this against the backdrop of uncertainty and discouraging statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump following the negotiations between the delegations of the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia.

"We will endure," — wrote Budanov on social media on the morning of February 19.

The chief intelligence officer of Ukraine is generally very reticent. However, his words carry significant weight.

What Trump said after the meeting of the U.S. and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia

According to Trump, the negotiations were "very good," and the Russians supposedly want peace. Speaking about the elections in Ukraine, he noted that Volodymyr Zelensky currently has about 4% support and added that "most Ukrainian cities are in ruins." Trump remarked that he likes Zelensky, but right now he is focused on how to end the war.

Additionally, the head of the White House stated that Russia is allegedly fighting "at 20%" of its capabilities. In his view, Putin did not destroy Kyiv with missiles only because he chose not to. The U.S. President added that "Ukraine has been wiped out" and expressed genuine confusion about how anyone is still living there. Overall, he conveyed the belief that the situation in Ukraine is even worse than in the Gaza Strip.

As reported by Telegraf, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States does not intend to lift sanctions against Russia following the bilateral meeting in Saudi Arabia. He added that in concluding a peace treaty, both Russia and Ukraine will likely have to make mutual concessions.